Stormont and Westminster Update May 2021
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WRDA Stormont and Westminster Update – May 2021 Summary In May 2021, there have been a number of political developments surrounding three of the thematic issues highlighted within the Women’s Policy Group (WPG) Covid-19 Feminist Recovery Plan. This summary reflects Bills and oral questions answered by both the Stormont and Westminster Executives, alongside consultation responses from the Women’s Policy Group and briefing reports from WRDA. The issue of women’s economic justice has featured prominently at Stormont this month, particularly during Question Time. The importance of debt advice services, mitigation payments, workers’ rights, and benefits featured prominently particularly during the Department of Communities Question Time. Similarly, oral questions at Westminster highlighted the importance of the £20 uplift payment in combatting economic inequalities and financial difficulties. The issue of violence against women and girls featured prominently in both questions directed towards both the Home Secretary of the UK and Northern Ireland Justice Minister. Legislation such as the Protection from Stalking Bill, the review of non-fatal strangulation, and the Gillan Review investigating sexual offences in Northern Ireland are crucial legislative instruments to combat gendered criminal offences. The issue of reproductive health and access to abortion featured prominently this month in Sinead McLaughlin’s question to the Health Minister Robin Swann, and non-Executive Bills proposed by Clare Bailey and Paul Givan. The WPG’s consultation response to Paul Givan’s attempt to restrict abortion access is also included. Courtney Girvin (WRDA volunteer) building upon the incredible work of previous WRDA volunteer Niamh Oddy Stormont Bills – May 2021 Issue Proposed by Stage Comments Links to the feminist recovery plan Protection Naomi Committee Stage A Bill to provide protection from threatening or abusive Stalking is an inherently from Stalking Long- behaviour, and from stalking. gendered crime, with women Bill Minister for representing a disproportionate Justice The new legislation will have greater and more appropriate number of victims. Stalking penalties and protections from stalking behaviour compared to commonly happens within a current harassment legislation. The introduction of stalking context of domestic abuse and is protection orders (SPOs) will enable the police to intervene prior linked to elements of coercive to any conviction to address stalking behaviours before they control. become entrenched or escalate in severity so as to protect victims quickly when there is an immediate risk of harm. Link to information on the Bill here. The Bill is divided into three parts. Part 1 creates a new specific offence of stalking, and creates the offence of threatening and Link to the WPG Joint Evidence abusive behaviour, which can be triggered by a single incident. Submission to the Justice Part 2 provides for the introduction of stalking protection orders. Committee on the Protection Part 3 deals with the interpretation, commencement, and short from Stalking Bill is available title of the Bill. here. Several members of the WPG have also presented oral evidence to the Justice Committee on the Bill. Rachel Powell and Elaine Crory (WRDA) both presented evidence on behalf of WRDA, the WPG and Raise Your Voice on Thursday 27th May which can be viewed here from 3:12:28. Non-Executive Bills – May 2021 Issue Proposed by Stage (as of date Comments Link to Feminist Recovery of writing) Plan Safe Access Clare Bailey Consultation This Bill aims to provide safe access to healthcare facilities including This would enhance the Zones Bill MLA, (Green carried forward buffer zones around reproductive healthcare facilities. ability of women and others (Public Health Party NI – from previous to access healthcare services and Well South mandate. without fear of harassment Being Bill) Belfast) and intimidation. Link to information on the Bill can be found here. Severe Fetal Paul Givan Second Stage A Bill attempting to restrict access to abortion by amending the This would infringe upon the Impairment MLA, Abortion (Northern Ireland) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 to remove the bodily autonomy of women Abortion (DUP – ground for abortion in cases of severe non-fatal fetal disability. and other potential pregnant (Amendment) Lagan people, and violate the Bill Valley) There has been no public consultation for this Bill, and it should be reproductive justice principle noted that the Northern Ireland Office conducted a public of the right to not have a consultation when developing abortion law reform which resulted in child. the current 2020 legislation. Link to information on the Bill to here. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has stated that this Bill is incompatible with human rights. The NIHRC submission to the The WPG Joint Response to committee can be found here. the Bill can be found here. Climate Clare Bailey Second Stage A Bill attempting to mitigate the effects of climate change in The move to a “Green Change Bill MLA, (Green Northern Ireland. The Bill seeks to establish a legally binding net- Economy” and more Party NI – zero carbon target for NI, establish an NI Climate Commissioner and environmentally sustainable South resultant Climate Office, achieve a climate sustainable economy by job market is reflected within Belfast) 2045, and guarantee existing climate and environmental the FRP. The effects of protections. climate change and its damaging effects are This Bill would declare a climate emergency until the threshold of disproportionately gendered the global temperature as defined by the Paris Agreement has been globally. met. Link to information on the Bill to here. The WPG Key Briefing on Climate Justice can be found here. The WPG also responded to the DAERA Minister’s Climate Change Discussion document endorsing the Climate Change Bill instead, which can be found here. Questions asked - tabled during May 2021 Issue Date Asked by: Notes Link to Feminist Recovery Plan Misogyny and 04/05/21 Philip McGuigan The Question: FRP seeks to address Sexism in Public (Sinn Fein – “Does the DFM agree that misogyny and sexism in public life are obstacles to participation in Life North Antrim) totally unacceptable and are a deterrent to women in public life.” public life which includes the To online abuse Michelle O’Neill, Recognition of the common experience of misogynistic comments disproportionately directed deputy First directed to many of the female MLAs including herself and Arlene towards women political and Minister Foster. All political parties must realise that misogynistic abuse public representatives. contributes to the reluctance of women to engage in public political life, which impacts the representativeness of the Executive and Link to full answer here Legislative bodies. Must have zero tolerance to misogyny and any other discriminatory practices. Political leaders have a responsibility to lead and speak out against it whenever it is visible in society. Funding to 10/05/21 William The Question: Belfast Citywide Tribunals Belfast Citywide Humphrey (DUP “Will the Minister match the funding provided by Belfast City Council service provides individuals Tribunal Service – North Belfast) to the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service.” with free, confidential, and To independent advice; this is Deirdre Hargey, The Minister stated that there is no reduction in the budget for essential in tackling women’s Minister for advice services including for appeals and tribunal representation. poverty, financial Communities Her department is investing £6.4 million this year into appeals and vulnerability, and the debt services. Funding is ringfenced for advice services, however, it is increasing demand as a result up to Belfast City Council is ultimately responsible for decisions on of the pandemic. how it allocates said funding. Link to full answer here Funding to 10/05/21 Kellie The Question: Advice sector is important in Belfast Citywide Armstrong “Deloitte report (2016) confirmed that a new funding model was tackling women’s poverty, Tribunal Service (Alliance – needed for the Belfast Citywide Tribunal Service. What actions have financial vulnerability, and – Deloitte Strangford) you taken to implement those recommendations, and ensure that the increasing demand as a Report To there is not a postcode lottery across Northern Ireland and that result of the pandemic. Deirdre Hargey, those recommendations will be aligned across all council areas?” Minister for Importance of Communities Minister recognises the importance of intersectionality (such as class intersectionality and how and where you live) in the creation of additional barriers to accessing class identity impacts access advice services, and the need to access such services. She commits and need for advice services. to working with Belfast City Council is ensuring any and all barriers to access are removed. Link to full answer here PIP (Personal 10/05/21 Liz Kimmins The Question: Importance of mitigation Independence (Sinn Fein – “How is the Minister ensuring those currently going through the payments continuing to fight Payments) Newry and appeals process are not suffering financially?” against accruing debt and Appeals Armagh) financial difficulty as a Hearings To Minister assures that mitigation payments are continuing for those protective measure. awaiting the outcome of the appeals process, encouraging those Deirdre Hargey, experiencing financial hardship to contact independent advice FRP